I did my weekly condo check and much to my surprise almost nothing had been done since last time. I haven't heard from Rob in about 2 weeks. Actually, since I gave him the last draw check. The last check was supposed to be upon completion of all inspections. He assured me it was just a matter of tying up some loose ends. The inspection paperwork is on the work table in the condo and those inspections had not been done.

So, I sent Rob an email indicating my concern. He called me back fairly quickly with, of course, bad news.

Apparently, even though the plans were signed by the city and the fire marshall ok'd everything, the inspector rejected the ductwork. He is insisting that we box it all in with drywall. And they want fire dampers everywhere. This is fairly significant. Rob said they have been negotiating (yelling actually) with the city to get this resolved.

Rob also said that even though their original plan was to come back after the fact and make a closet in the office, they no longer want to take that risk. I'm actually ok with this. I'll just have them install built-in shelves and maybe some cabinets.

But, back to the matter at hand. I'm not sure what will happen. The worst case will undoubtedly cost a lot of money and I'm not sure I should be liable for the cost. We'll see. But on top of that we are way over the estimated finish date (this month was the original) and we may not get this done by the end of April. I'm paying much higher rent now because I'm on month to month and I'm still paying a monthly storage fee. This is all starting to add up. Not to mention I'm really ready to get out of this apartment and in my own home.

Quite frustrating.

On my way home today I thought about where my life was a year and a half ago. I was struggling through a remodel and fighting with the city. No significant other and in a job I hated.

Then I decided to make a big change in my life and move to Florida.

Today I'm struggling through a remodel and fighting with the city. No significant other and in a job I hate.

LOL me.

May be the price of not having a job your hate or having a SO is just to high.

I'm about 1/3 into a really interesting book. I've had it for a while and I'm not sure who recommended it or why. I think it might have been suggested as a good book for poker players, but really I'm not sure.

It is called "Thinking, Fast and Slow". A lot of things in it are things you've probably heard before or already know, but it comes at how the mind processes information from a different angle. Although it isn't the point of the book I think there's a lot to be gleaned about happiness.

I would recommend this to anyone.

Good point. But actually I think it's the "perceived" price, not the actual price.

I read that last year and really enjoyed it. I think Enrique recommended it with two other math books in the lounge book thread. (actually read them both too, finishing the last just recently) Not 100% it was him though.

If you enjoyed it that much might want to check out How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg. Parts of it got a little bit too difficult for me, but it's an interesting read.

Work just took some weird turns. I was informed that "they" have run out of money for something or other.

Although we have 1 team, it is really 2 groups. In the other group two contractors were let go. No advance warning or anything. Actually, one is on her honeymoon. It appears as if 3 more will be let go soon.


In my group one of the contractors was re-assigned and they are trying to figure out what to do with the other 2.

I am in limbo. I might go to team 1. I dunno. It's one big cluster.

Javier is ready to start the tile so I met him this morning so he knew what I wanted. There was a little confusion because it has been so long since I ordered it and I wasn't sure about all of the trim pieces. Not too worried, it should work out even if it isn't exactly like I planned.

Javier was very concerned about the living room tile, though. He said because of the size (it is quite large) it would take a lot of work to make sure it is all even. I don't doubt this. However, Rob hinted that this will cost more than the original estimate. Hopefully he doesn't try to ding me. I don't think I should be responsible for this cost overrun.

Rob also said he would be meeting with the architect today. Hopefully they can work the AC duct work stuff out without costing too much more.

The condo association left a message on my phone. Apparently my contractor has asked them for the umpeenth time to get the owner above me to fix a leak which they seem not to care about. But that wasn't what she called about. Now she is saying they didn't give me approval for the remodel and I need to fill out some architectural review forms. No sure what they are. I asked them several times before this started if I need to do anything and they said no. They have known this was going on since before the contractor started.

The bureaucrats of this world can *****.

Work has deteriorated into a black hole of horribleness. They let 3 more contractors go. At least they gave two of them a days notice.

I got my appraisal and it wasn't great. This was expected so it doesn't bother me too much. It is impossible to meet any goals given you. It's like I'm responsible for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers not making the playoffs. It's just absurd.

The only thing my boss has said to us since she got rid of most of our staff is that she expects us to meet every deadline given us. LOL.

Man, I'm getting in a really bad place again. Ima gonna fight it, but damn.

Have you considered just saying "**** it" and playing whatever stupid company games you need to play to keep your job secure and your stress level manageable? I know that can be a big concession for somebody who prides themselves on actually doing meaningful work and delivering something useful, but maybe that's the best path forward so you can keep your sanity while waiting for something more promising to develop.

My work is project based and I get to walk away from everybody involved when the project is done, so sometimes I just smile and say OK because I know it won't last. idk how well that translates to a job with a company, but I get the impression you have in-demand skills and other options for the future. Can you just phone it in for 6 months or whatever until you can move on to greener pastures?

Why exactly are you going to work?
Money? Hope that the situation will improve? You have to do something and work, however bad, gives you structure? Something else? You are just so in habit of getting-up and going to work, that it is hard to change this habit? You can't imagine to spend your time completely different?

For me it helps basically always to get conscious of my motives. Somehow it allows either to find a way out or to make peace with situation.

Anyway GL.

Yeah, my goal is to do this and I try. Then some incredibly bad stuff happens and I find it hard to disconnect. But, yeah, it's important that I take this line.

I have to keep reminding myself to keep my eye on the prize. It is to set myself up for a comfortable retirement. Nothing else. I need this sort of reminder every once in a while, though. Thanks.

Yep, as I said my only goal is to set myself up for a comfortable retirement. I just lose sight of this every once in a while. Thanks!

I talked to someone at the condo association. I've talked to her before and she's really nice.

I was actually OK with my original assumption. However, a chain of events set this off.

The fire marshal dictated that we run a dryer vent out the wall. I think this is fairly standard. The vent and associated framing/drywall to run the outflow happens to be under the leak from the condo above. When my contractor went to talk to them (yet again) about the leak he must have mentioned the dryer vent. Since that requires drilling through the wall to the outside, the condo association needs to know about it. Unfortunately, the hole is already there. But after talking to her I think it will be fine. I still need to fill out a form.

Since I had her on the phone I discussed the leak issue. They seem to be clueless about what the owner is going to do or not do but she said she will follow up.

Talked to Rob. He said the architect is working up a solution to the ac duct snafu. But this will take a couple of days. Then they have to submit it to a review board for approval. This will no doubt take more time. I'm not exactly sure what all they can work on until then but he seems to think they can continue to make progress.

Visited the condo today. They have started tiling. It looks like they have finished all of the cement board in the master batch and have tiled a portion of the guest bath. So far so good.

Obviously some camera operator fail. Thank goodness the trash pile came out clear.

These I think are the niches for soap and stuff. I think the triangle is for a bench in the corner. The tile on the left I believe will be used in the guest bath.



Master bath, ready for tile.



This is the tile that will go in there. Looks kinda meh in this pic but I think it will be fine. It has more color than it appears.



Guest bath. I suspect these are blurry because it was super dark in there and the autofocus was struggling





tile saw



Trash pile!

I have the exact same tile saw. Now I feel a bond with FL tradesmen.

drove down bayshore blvd today and it made me insanely jealous of your view! hope you get everything finished up and get to enjoy it soon.

thanks!

I haven't updated anything because it's been sort of the same ole same ole.

Work is a giant cluster. Our tech lead and our manager are at war. Formal complaints have been filed and retaliation has occurred. It's not pretty.

I've somewhat stayed out of it but it's been hard. Our tech lead is an extremely likable and sharp guy and it's hard not to take sides. And the things he has complained about are the same things that are happening to me.

I tangled with my manager about my performance appraisal. The absurdity is beyond absurd. One of my ratings is the performance of a system that our group has nothing to do with. The most absurd thing is that there isn't a single mention of any of the software I engineered even though my title is Software Engineer and I actually engineered quite a bit of software. I've discussed this disconnect with her many times but when I wrote my concern about the disconnect in my appraisal comments she wrote "I was surprised to hear this".

I talked to my Dad the other day. I really didn't think he would ever get out of his depression but he told me he was doing artwork again. This is beyond fantastic. If I haven't mentioned it, he is an artist. However, when he gets depressed he doesn't do anything. So this is huge. I suspect this is partially due to the fact that he has a helper that he really likes. It's been a struggle to find one that fits for him because he's so difficult. But this woman seems to have really made a difference.

I'm confused what the "this" refers to. Is she surprised that you think there's a disconnect, or surprised that there is one?

That's great about your dad

Well, she completely dismisses the disconnect but her statement was that she was surprised to hear that I had a concern about it even though I've discussed it with her numerous times. Basically, she lied.

Thanks!

Just checked out the condo. Not much progress at all. Rob told me he didn't think much would happen.

The did do some more tiling. The guest bath tile is pretty safe....

... but that master bath tile OH MY! What have I done!!?? It is much bolder than I thought it would be. I don't hate it but that's some crazy ****.

First the guest bath floor.



Now the crazy tile. ZOMG!